A night cream might sound like an superfluous addition to your already meticulously honed men's skincare regime, but there’s actually some truth in the idea that your skin behaves differently – and demands different things – once the clock strikes twelve.
Not just a savvily repackaged moisturiser, the best night creams out there are specifically crafted to cater to the skin’s nocturnal needs, ensuring you make the most of those eight (ok, six) long, interrupted hours of regeneration.
Why does men’s skin benefit from a specific night cream?
“The skin has its own circadian rhythm and its function at night is different to the daytime function,” explains dermatologist Dr. Derrick Phillips. “During the day, the skin must mitigate the damage caused by UV rays from the sun,” especially if you’ve been slacking on the SPF moisturiser. (No, sunscreen isn't solely required on foreign shores.)
“Therefore, day cream formulations should aim to hydrate but also to protect. They may contain anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide and antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C), to protect against free radical damage. They must also be light enough to allow you to wear an SPF on top, if it’s not already included in the formulation.”
As Dr. Phillips explains, night time is when the skin switches focus to renewal and repair. “Ingredients such as humectants which draw moisture in, and occlusives, which lock that moisture in, work together to promote hydration: an integral part of the restoration process. In addition, exfoliating products (such as retinoids and alpha and beta-hydroxy acids) increase sensitivity to the sun, so are best incorporated into nighttime creams. In short, there is rationale for having a separate day cream and night cream – although there are also products that tick most of the boxes for both."
What should a good night cream contain?
The best night cream for you largely depends on your skin type. Dr. Phillips recommends those with dry skin try something rich in humectants (hydrating) and occlusives (moisture-locking). “Humectants include ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and urea, which draw water into the skin giving additional hydration. In high concentrations (more than 10%), urea will also break down keratin, improving the appearance of the fine white scale that appears with dry skin. Occlusive ingredients include shea butter and jojoba oil.”
Conversely, those with oily skin should veer towards ‘non-comedogenic’ - or non pore-clogging - formulations, as “these are less likely to block pores and cause breakouts. Oil-textured products and occlusives should certainly be avoided.”
Confused? Understandable. Below, see the best men’s night cream for every skin type and concern.
The Best Night Creams To Invest In Now
Brit brand Medik8 is the one we recommend to anyone looking to start using a retinol. Its incremental-strength serums might be best known, but for those who prefer a one-and-done routine, this heavy-hitting cream fits the bill. It contains a moderate dose of retinol alongside vitamin E to keep your skin calm. Use it every other night, and give it six weeks of consistent use for the results to appear.
2
Best night cream for mature skin
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream
Now 22% Off
Kiehl's wants you to know that this cream is precisely 98.6% natural, but that's not why you're here. You'll add this one to your cart over and over again because it does a stellar job of hydrating, softening and plumping out skin that needs serious rehabbing. Lighter than you may expect, it sinks into skin straight away (a little goes a long way) and won't leave a greasy film on your pillow.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
This is the big one. It’s priced to make you wince, but Augustinus Bader’s The Cream will swiftly replace all those congealing jars of impulse-bought serum you’ve got stashed at the back of the bathroom cupboard.
Containing the brand’s signature complex of proteins, vitamins and minerals, it’s a one-and-done product that’ll work on everything from breakouts to loss of elasticity. Use it day and night.
4
Best night cream for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream for Sensitive Skin
Sitting firmly at the other end of the prestige spectrum, this utilitarian blue bottle boasts cult status for very different reasons. It won’t help you Benjamin Button your way back to the smooth-skinned joy of your teens, but it will hydrate and soften even the most easily irritated skin. A risk-free move.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Allies of Skin Silver Lining Dioic & Willowherb Clarifying Cream
Heavy, occlusive moisturisers can strike fear when you've got acne, but trust us when we say you will need to impart some hydration if you don't want the situation to worsen. The key is to opt for a cream specifically formulated for the breakout prone. From smart Singaporean brand PSA, this lightweight formula is forensically formulated with zinc to control sebum production, dioic acid to brighten post-acne marks, and willowherb to calm sensitivity and inflammation.
6
Best night cream for fine lines and rough texture
Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream
Experts agree that retinol is the gold standard in reversing the signs of ageing, from dark spots and rough texture to those creeping forehead wrinkles you received for your 30th birthday.
Dermatologist Dr. Gross knows exactly how to create a winning one: this, his cult night cream, sees retinol blended with ferulic acid, which enhances the efficacy tenfold and makes it especially beneficial on entrenched wrinkles and post-breakout texture.
Such is retinol’s ability to resurface the skin, you don’t need to use it every night (in fact doing so could lead to irritation.) Apply this once or twice a week to begin with.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Clarins has filled its cream with a menu of exotic-sounding plant extracts that promise to rejuvenate your skin while you sleep: but all you really need to know is that this cushiony, soothing formula moisturises dry, rough skin better than most. Expect to wake up with brighter, better-hydrated skin.
8
Best night cream for uneven skin tone
Murad Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream
Whether you're dealing with lingering red scars from a bout of breakouts, or patches of sun damage from that week on exotic shores, antioxidant vitamin C is the ingredient you need.
However, not all vitamin C creams are created equal. Murad's derm-approved formula ticks all the boxes: it's sealed in an airtight jar, so won't go off before you get to the bottom, and contains enough of the good stuff to make a visible difference to skin tone.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
If you’re taking an oral medication for acne, such as Roaccutane, your skin is going to feel painfully dry and irritated for a while. This fragrance-free, ceramide-packed cream is designed to bring things back into balance, with heavy-duty humectants that amp up the hydration without clogging pores.
This one contains more than one type of seaweed – and if that appeals, the world of natural skincare will be pleased to meet you. Not just a sustainable option (the brand uses natural waste products, which are hand-picked in Margate), it’s also a brilliant rejuvenator for all skin types, with algae for hydration and plant oils for softening.
